Navy to commission Arleigh Burke destroyer USS John Finn

July 15 (UPI) -- The Arleigh Burke-class guided-missile destroyer USS John Finn will be commissioned Saturday in a ceremony at Joint Base Pearl Harbor-Hickam in Hawaii.

Commander of U.S. Pacific Command Adm. Harry Harris will give the principal speech with Mrs. Laura Stavridis, wife of retired Admiral James Stavridis, serving as the sponsor. Acting Secretary of the Navy Sean Stackly spoke in a U.S. Defense Department news release about the ship's namesake, Chief John Finn.

"During World War II, Chief Finn distinguished himself through heroic service to his fellow Sailors and our nation. I know the men and women who make up the crew of USS John Finn will carry his legacy forward with the same selfless service he distinguished more than 75 years ago," Stackley said.

Finn had been awarded the Medal of Honor for heroism during the attack on Pearl Habor.

The John Finn win will be the 63rd Arleigh Burke-class destroyer and the first commissioned in nearly five years.

The destroyer class boasts the AEGIS Weapons System that integrates radar and other sensor data with the ship's missiles and torpedoes to detect, track and engage enemy threats.

Some in the class are capable of anti-ballistic missile defense using the Standard Missile-3 and its AN/SPy-1 radar. The Arleigh Burke-class serves as the primary surface warfare ship of the of the U.S. Navy alongside the Ticonderoga-class guided-missile cruisers.